J.D. Gibbs hoisted that age-old disclaimer “never say never” several times during a chat at Richmond International Raceway concerning reigning Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan. The subject: growing rumors that Kanaan is trolling for a Nationwide Series ride next year at Joe Gibbs Racing. The popular Brazilian prefers IndyCar, but is open to new worlds, even though some within the NASCAR family doubt he's serious about leaving open wheel.

On Saturday, shortly before the Federated Auto Parts 400, the president of JGR said Kanaan would be the longest of long shots to go Nationwide racing. “Never say never,” the son of team owner Joe Gibbs cautioned, “but it would be really difficult and really hard to do. We have a connection [team executive Steve De Souza] with Kanaan's agent, so he visited the shop the other day for about an hour and a half. People say we offered him a contract, huh? I didn't know that.

“It's way too early to even talk about that [possibility of driving for JGR]. Listen, guys, WE JUST HAD A MEETING!!! and I don't know when we'll talk to him again. If all it takes is a helmet and personality to get a ride with us [as some have suggested], I'd still be driving. And if I had $8 million [to sponsor a Nationwide team] I'd still have a ride. But he's a really neat guy and he'd be better than me.”

According to reports, Kanaan also has talked to IndyCar team owners Chip Ganassi, Michael Andretti and Bryan Herta, and with KV Racing, his racing home for the past three years. It's been reported that Kanaan is insulted that despite his accomplishments, owners want him to bring money with him. In addition to winning this year's Indy 500, he was the 2004 IndyCar champion and has been top 10 in points for 10 consecutive seasons.

Shortly after word spread of the shop visit, a JGR spokesman said the meeting with team principals was the extent of the visit. “There is no deal. Just had an initial meeting. Nothing even being formally discussed,” Chris Helein told Autoweek on Friday.

Vickers is leaving after this season for a full-time Cup ride with Michael Waltrip Racing, opening a Nationwide spot at JGR. “But we're better with three teams than with four,” Gibbs said. “It would be really hard [to take Kanaan but] I won't rule it out. Like I said, never say never.”